Page 25 of Accidental Irish Daddy

“Oh, mo storin.Don’t say that. Of course, you’re worthy.”

I shrug, looking down at my hand on hers. “What happens if I relapse?” Fear courses through me. “I mean, maintaining my sobriety when it’s just me… If I were to relapse now, I wouldn’t hurt anyone but myself. What happens if I’m with someone like Aisling, though? It’s not just me anymore, it’s her…and it’s Bridget. I can’t drag them down with me if I fall off the wagon.”

She sighs. “Grant, my love, you’ve been sober for five years now. And before you say it, I know. You’ll always be an addict.But being in recovery doesn’t mean putting yourself in isolation. You got clean to better your life, not hide from it. At some point, you’ll have to take a chance on loving someone.”

I kiss her hand and stand up. “You make it sound easy. But I know better.”

“It’s as simple or as hard as you want to make it.” She puts on her glasses and opens her book again as I start to walk out. “I’ll see you in the morning, mo storin.”

“Good night.”

In the hallway, I find myself thinking of what she’s just said.

I’ve noticed Aisling checking me out as well…

It’s as simple or as hard as you want to make it.An interesting philosophy.

I don’t know if I believe it just yet, though. I guess we’ll see how this plays out.

7

Aisling

I think I’m in trouble.

It’s been about a week and a half since Mrs. Duncan woke up in excruciating pain and…well, the good news is, that was all it took for her to take her medications without question from that point on.

But how things are going with Mrs. Duncan isn’t an issue. That’s probably the best thing about this job right now. The worst thing…well, the worst thing is Mr. Duncan.

Lately, he’s been staying home more often and, at first, it was no big deal. He stayed sequestered in his office while I cared for his mother, and for most of the day, we barely saw each other.

Over the last couple of days, however, he’s been coming into the kitchen while I’m making something for lunch…and we usually end up talking.

It’s all been casual so far, but bits of personal stuff keep slipping out. Like his family life and how his father and he used to be estranged, but now they’re not… I’m beginning to think that maybe I had him all wrong.

He doesn’t seem like any of the callous playboys that come into the club.

But then, there’s his dating life.

At first, I didn’t see any signs that he was dating anyone, but lately, he’s been inviting women over for dinner. It’s only been a few times that I’ve seen, but they’ve all been different women. Sometimes, our paths intersect.

I’d see them pull up as I drive away.

One time, I almost ran into one as I was leaving.

He’s got a fairly active dating life to say the least.

Clearly, he’s not serious with any of them and…and I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t a little jealous. They all look like supermodels. Long legs and pristinely clear skin. Nothing but high-class women ever cross that threshold on his arm. I am not even close to being in the same league as them.

I ponder about this as I stand on the lanai, imagining what a night with him might be like. I can see myself in an expensive red dress. Something clingy and revealing without being too trashy. The way he would look at me as he took my hand…like he’s been waiting all night just to see my face.

“You look radiant.”He kisses my hand and I melt, the feel of his lips on my skin even this small measure, sending warm sensations through my body.

He escorts me into the living room, where he’s got a lavish dinner prepared.

We sit and eat and flirt. It’s all so natural and perfect. He feeds me grapes from the feast on the table. I take them in my mouth seductively while I take my shoe off and move my foot up his leg under the table.

“You’re asking for trouble,” he whispers seductively.

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